BOMB disposal cops discovered at least four ‘suspicious’ devices at the scene where a chainsaw-wielding plumber was shot by officers.
– who was also wearing agasmask and body armour – is understood to be in a coma.
He faced outside his parents’ home in Hollingbourne,, on Monday evening.
Officers had been sent to the property on Ashford Road, opposite the Park Inn pub, to arrest the 36-year-old on suspicion of assault.
Initially, unarmed cops had attended the property, nearCastle, at around 7.15pm in relation to an “outstanding warrant”; but he refused to come out, the force said.
Body-worn camera footage reportedly shows O’Meara wielding a chainsaw and what was at first feared to be a homemade firearm or improvised explosive device.
A bomb squad and terror cops were at the scene, butsaid the incident “was not related to anyoffences”;.
O’Meara is understood to have suffered “life-changing injuries”; after dropping the chainsaw on his arm, having been shot by an officer.
He is now reported to be in an induced coma at King’s College Hospital.
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was sent to the scene in the aftermath.
Kent have since confirmed the recovery of multiple suspicious devices from the area.
Chief Superintendent Neil Loudon, West Divisional Commander for Kent Police, said: “At this current time, there is nothing to suggest a wider threat to the Hollingbourne community, but we have found at least four suspicious devices at the scene and it is important that the area is made safe.”;
Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a probe into the shooting.
Half-brother Liam O’Meara told The Telegraph he believes officers used unnecessary force and said O’Meara has “mental health problems”;.
A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “We have been advised by Kent police that unarmed officers attended the house at around 7.15pm to arrest a man on suspicion of assault.
“He refused to come out of the house, so the officers were instructed to withdraw and armed officers were then deployed.
“We have seen officers’ body worn footage which shows the man, aged in his mid-30s, holding a chainsaw and another object in his hand, which, at the time, officers believed appeared to be a handmade firearm or IED (improvised explosive device).
“He was also wearing a gas mask and body armour. We can confirm a first baton round was fired by police and the man then took cover behind a hedge.
“Officers moved in and a police dog was deployed. The man ignored orders to put down the chainsaw and a second baton round was discharged and then, seconds later, he moved towards officers and was shot by an officer with a conventional firearm.
“A detailed search of the scene continued today and among the weapons found at the scene were a chainsaw and a device which was made safe by the bomb squad (EOD).”;
Kent Police said in a statement: “On Monday 7 July 2025, Kent Police officers attended a property in Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, near Maidstone to conduct an arrest for an outstanding warrant.
“This was not related to any terrorism offences. Following initial attendance, officers were further supported by additional units including firearms patrols.
“During the incident a man in his 30s was shot by officers and was subsequently taken to hospital where he remains.
“Officers remain at the scene and have been supported by an EOD team who made the area safe.
“As with all police shootings, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Kent Police will assist the IOPC with its independent investigation as appropriate.”;
